DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume V, Issue 300, 14 April 1874, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT HAMILTON.

Ov Sunday morning about half-past 4 o'clock, the cry of fire, which always strikes terror into the hearts of residents in wooden towns, resounded through Hamilton. It appears i tlimt Mr Butler, who lives in a portion of the residence attached to the telegraph office, awoke about the hour above named, and noticed a peculiar glare through the blind, he I not out of bed to ascertain the cause, and discovered that the back portion of Mr Hough's premises were on fire, ho immediately gave the alarm, hurried to tho spot, and was very soon joined by several of the neighbours. It was evident from the first that nothing could save Mr Hough's store and the premises of Mr Smith adjoining. The energies of all, thereiore, were directed to saving as much property as possible contained in the store already alight, and in the •hop and house of Mr Sumh. The fire spread so rapidly that in spite of tho utmost exerl ions, only a small quantity of the goods contained in Mr Hough's store were saved. la the meantinio another body of willing workers were removing the most valuable property from Mr Smith's premises and from tho temporary office of tbe National Bank, which were under the same roof. All the books and property of value belonging to the Bank were saved. Mr Clarkes residence was totally destroyed, not beforo, however, the majority of the furniture and effects were removed. The Literary Instituto is burned, but the books and periodicals are nearly all saved. We understand that Mr Smith was partially insured, but Mr Hough not at all ; his lo3s is estimated at £2000. The telegraph office was several times on fire, but the exertionsof those presentsaveditfrom destruction. The instrument was removed, and there was no communication with the other stations during the whole of Sunday. Mr Hough reports that all the fires in his house were out by 7 o'clock on Saturday night, and water thrown on the ashes. He retired to bed at half-past 10, and previous to doing so looked through the house to see that all was safe. Great sympathy is felt for the sufferers, more particularly for Mr Haugh, but there i» almost an universal opinion that he ought to have baen insured. Tbe fire originated in the centre of the township at a considerable distance from the river, and in consequence of the drought there was very little water in any of the tanks ; this accounts for little or nothing being done to stay the flames. Fortunately there was very little wind blowing at the time, or the damage must have been much more serious. It would be invidious, where everybody exerted themselves to the utmost, to mention any as having particularly distinguished themselves ; wo must, however, in tho name of the settlers thank Lt.-Col. Lyon nnd the men under his command for very valuable services ; also Mr Harper, of tho Hamilton Hotel, who was most active in saving property, and hospitable to those rendered homeless. The total loss by the fire may be estimated between £5000 and £6000. Another fire took place in Hamilton about 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon. A cottage inhabited by Mrs Dunn was totally destroyed. The cottage was quite half-a-mile distant from the first conflagration, and could not, therefoze, he attributed m any way to the same cause. We learn that Mrs Dunn was away from home at the time the fire commenced ; she soon, however, appeared on the scene. The cause of the second fire is equally a. mystery with the first. The unfortunate woman, we believe, has lost all she possessed. She appealed in a most feeling manner to a leading government official to head a subscription to build her a new house and purchase furniture.